Label picking mechanism



March 14, 1933. c. HOLM 1,901,101

LABEL PICKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 21, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l gwomtoo March 14, 1933. c. HOLM LABEL PICKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 21. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnaw 11oz Karl fiolm/ March 14, 1933- c. .HOLM 1,901,101

LABEL FICKING MECHANI SM Filed Sept. 21, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 4-1 fi g'rga 6 .50 30 March 14, 1933. HQLM 1,901,101

LABEL PICKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 21, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwuento a stacked labels.

Patented Mar. 14, 1933 f UNITED, STATES FATE NT FF ciE CARL HOLM, or woncnsr-na, rressAcHnsnrrs, Assrenon TO ECONOMIC Melanin-Jay.

GGMPANY, or WORCESTER,YMELSSAGHUSETTS, Acoaronnrron or assacrrusnrrs LABEL rrcxme MECHANISM Application filed september 21, 1931 Serial No 564,167.

This invention relates to a label picking mechanism used in connection with an automatic labeling machine wherein such articles as bottles, cartons, or other containers have applied to their'face or faces the 'usualilabel or advertising matter.

The general type of machine in which the present improvement :is' intended foriuse is shown in the patentto Ekvall No. 1,630,235, issued May 24:, 1927 which machine is lmown as a straightaway labeler, but it is, of course, understood that the same principle which is employed in the present improvement might well be adapted for use in other types of labeling machines. f a z j.

The main object of the present invention is to provide the label with a smooth and even coat of adhesive prior to its withdrawal from the label holder. H a

Another object of the invention is to stretch or smooth the label to remove any'wri'nkles or bulges which are usually present in the A still further object of the present invention resides in the novel manner of releasing the stretch or tension on'the label just prior to its application to the surface of thearticle intended tobe labeled,

Still another object of the invention is to provide a labeling mechanism wherein: the label pickers may be relatively adjusted so as to enable a machine to handle labels of various sizes without necessarily changing the mechanical parts of the machine. Y Y

' Another object of the'invention resides in the novel manner of properly aligningthe label pickers so that said pickers willat all times present an even and smooth surface when brought into. contact with the lowermost label in the label holder.

These and other objects will readily present themselves, to those skilled in this particular art, when the following specification 1 1s read in connection with the attached drawings, wherein there is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention; It is further understood that certain changes mayberesorted to without sacrificing any of thetrue spirit ofthe invention herein disclosed, so

long as the same falls within the terms of the l appended claims. 7

In'the drawings similar lettersof reference indicate like parts throughout the several views in which- V v Fig. 1 is'a front elevation "of the label pick ing mechanism, V Fig. 2 is a side view of the mechanism as seen from the left of'Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a view of the the right side of Fig. 1; 'Fi'g. ifs a top plan view of the picker as seen from picker showing clearly the link connections to the mechanism for operating the label pickers;

5 is a longitudinal sectional viewita'ks en online 55 of Fig. 6;

line 66 of Fig. 4; a v

Figs. 7 and show the-relative separated positions of the label. pickers when they are in their uppermost position and while in contact with the lowermost label; These label pickers are then ready to start on their downward swing to carry the-labelto the article.

Figs. 8 and 8 are similar views showing the label pickers in their half. lowered'p'osie Upon the table 1 is mounteda bracket or frame 2 which has upstanding arms'8' and-4. Journalled within bearings 5 and6 in the upper portions of the arms 3 and 4 respectively is a rockable shaft "2, which shaft has r 1g. 6 is across-sectional View taken 0 a cranlr- 8 adapted for connection to the reciprocatory rod 9.- This rod 9 is-given its desired up and down motion from any suitable source'of drive mechan sm not shown.

Slidably arranged on the'shaft 7 isa pair a of lon itudinallv shiftsbleZ'sleeves v the one on the rig t-as viewe designated 10, while the d fronrFig. 1' being i 1 one to theleft hears 100 j reference numeral 11. Extending radially from each of the sleeves is a lip 12 and to the lip 12 on the sleeve the right label picker 13 is attached, while the lip 12 of the sleeve 11 carries the left label picker 1 1. The lips 12 are provided with screw threaded openings 15 for the reception of the fastening bolts 16. The label pickers have slots 17 within their face portions so as to receive thelabel holder prongs and to permit movement of the pickers when in engagement with the lowermost exposed label. 7

As will be noticed. the sleeves l0 and 11 are not keyed directly to the shaft 7, but are connected thereto through the following construction Keyed to the shaft 7 are two relatively spaced ar1ns'18. to the outer ends of which is secured in any appropriate manner a cross bar 19 and mounted on the inner face of the bar 19 is a plate 20. This plate 20 is pivotally connected to the bar 19 by the center stud 21 and is held in its desired adjusted position by tightening the end studs 22-22. To permit the plate'20 to swing on its pivot for the purpose hereinafter described, the bar 19has elongated slots 23 where the end studs 22-22 pass therethrough. The plate 20 is provided with two horizontally extending elongated slots 2el24 which are adapted to receive the rollers 25 25 carried by the stub shafts 26-26 extending from the shiftable sleeves. It will thus be seen that when the shaft 7 is oscillated or rocked, the sleeves are likewise moved but are free to shift longitudinally of the shaft at any time.

Arranged parallel to the shaft 7 'is a cross rod 27 which is suitably mounted in the upper end portion of the upstanding arms 3 and 4;. Slidablv mounted on this cross rod 27 is a pair of slid-able collars, the one on the right as viewed in Fig. 1 being designated 28 and the one on the left being characterized by the reference numeral 29. Both of these slidable collars have forked extensions as at 30 which are adapted to engage in grooveways 31 arranged in the sleeves 10 and 11.

Rigidly bolted to the upper end of the upstanding arm 1 is a bearing bracket 32 which provides a suitable support for the upper portion of an oscillatory shaft 33. Arranged on the upper end of the shaft 33 and secured thereto in any appropriate manner is an elongated plate or casting designated 34, which plate is centrally grooved or channeled as at 35 for the reception of slide blocks 36-36. Each of the slide blocks 36 is provided with an upstanding lug or pin 37-37 which extends through thearcuate slots 38-38 arranged in the upper surface of the plate 34. Likewise each of the slidable collars 28 and 29 are provided with upstanding pins or studs 38-38 to which the connecting rods 39-39 are connected at one end while their opposite portions are connected to the studs 37-87. The connecting rods 39-39 are retained in their connected positions through the medium of nuts, cross-pins or the like.

Rotatably supported within the ends of the elongated plate or casting 34 are two screw for the label picker shown in prior Patent No. 1,630,235, and for this reason the other instrumentalities involved in the complete machine have been eliminated for the purpose of clarity. In the present improvement the label pickers are intended to swing in an arcuate path of movement and during their upward swing the upper faces ofthe pickers are adhesively coated by the gumming mechanism shown in the prior patent. These pickers then continue to the upward limit of their movement where they will come in, contact with the face of the lowermost label in the label holder. When in this position it will be appreciated that the label will be supplied with adhesive which is carried by the face of the pickers and in order that the coating be evenly and uniformly distributed over the full face of the label, the pickers are then caused to slide away from each other- This action not only removes any existing air bub- 1 bles that may be present, but also applies the adhesive to any of the uncoated portions of the label. Then again. this separating action of-the pickers will tend to stretch or smooth the labelso as to remove any wrinkles or bulges that may be present. The relative positions of the pickers while they are in their upwardlimit of swing is shown in Figs. 7 and 7 From this position the pickers swing in a downward direction, the intermediate position being shown in Figs. 8 and 8 and, as will be noted, the pickers are still in separated position.- When the pickers reach their lowermost position they are caused to slightly approach each other so as to relieve the tension on the label whichprevents the tearing of the same when the label grip finger comes in contact with the central portion of the label. The pickers then begin their upward movement and just prior to their gum applying position they will be brought together so that the gumming roll will adhesively coat the same.

The oscillatory movements of the pickers are caused by the operations of the reciprocatory rod 9 which in turn rocks the bar member 19 carrying the plate 20 through the stub shafts 26 to the shiftable sleeves 10 and 11. The sliding movements of the pickers are caused by the oscillatory movements of the shaft 33 through the links 39 to the slidable collars 28 and 29, these collars having forked extensions cooperate v with the shiftable sleeves 1O and'll and therebycontrol the relative sliding actions of said pickers.

If for any reason the pickers do not per fectly align with each other, this can be remedied by temporarily releasing the end studs 22-22 of the plate 20 and slightly moving said plate 20 about its pivot after which the studs 2222 should be again fastened.

In case the machine is to be adjusted for handling a larger or smaller bottle, the frame structure 2 must necessarily be moved inward or outward with 'reference' to the center line of the machine. When such an adjustment is made, it will necessarily require a slight change in the operating connections leading.

to the pickers. This is attended to by adjusting the slide blocks 3636 which in turn increase or decrease as the case may be the effective length or throw of'the links 3939.

What I desireto claim by U. S. Letters Patent is 3o 1 of a label holder and a label picking mecha 1; In a labeling machine, the combination nism for withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, said picking mechanism comprising a pair of pickers and means for relatively moving said pickers while in contact with and prior tothe withdrawal of the exposed label from the label holder.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination of a labelholder, a label picking mechanism for Withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article tobe labeled, said mechanism comprising a pair of pivotally mounted pickers and means for relatively sliding said pickers'while in contact with and prior to the withdrawal of the exposed'label from the label holder.

3. In a labelingmachine, the combination of a label holder and a label picking mechanism for withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, said mechanism comprising a swinging picker and means for laterally shifting said picker relative to said holder while said picker is in contact with and prior to the Withdrawalof the exposed label from the label holder.

I 4. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label holder and a label picking mechanism for Withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, means for applying adhesive to the label picking mechanism, said mechanism comprisinga pair of cooperatively movable pickers and means for relatively shifting said pickers while in contact with and prior tothe withdrawal of the exposed 7- label from the label holder.

'5. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label holder and alabel picking mechanism for Withdrawing the lowermost label from the holder and advancing thesame'to the article tobe labeled, means for applying adhesive to the label picking mechanism, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperatively swinging pickers and means for sliding the pickers relative to the holder while said pickers are in contact with and prior to the withdrawal ofthe exposed label from the label holder.

' 6. In a labeling'machine, the combination '1 for Withdrawingthe exposed labelfrom the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, said mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers,-mean s for relatively sliding said pickers, While in contact with the exposed label and means for ad usting the degree of said sliding motion.

' 7. In a labeling machine, the combination pair Ofconjointly swinging pickers, a slidable member connected to each picker and means connected to each slldable member to cause a relative separatlon between said p1ck of a label holder, a label picking mechanism ers while the latter are in contact with the exposed label prior to the withdrawal of the-label from the label holder. 3 1 r 8. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label holder and a label picking mechanism for withdrawing the exposedlabel from l the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, means for applying adhesive to the label picking mechanism and means for causing a relative lateral movement between the label pickerand the'holder while the picker is in contact with the exposed label prior to the Withdrawal of the label" from the label holder. i

of a label holder, a' label picking mechanism for withdrawing the exposed label from the holder=and advancing the same'to the articleto be labeled, said mechanism comprising a pair of-conjointly swinging pickers, a slidable member connected to each picker, an oscillatory shaft and a connection between said shaftand each or" said pickers to ,cause a relative separation between said pickers while the latter are in contact with the exposed label prior tothe Withdrawal-of the label from the label holder. V V

10. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label holder, a label picking-mechanism" for withdrawing theexposed label from the magazine and advancing the same to thee!- ticle to be labeled, said mechanism compris- 9. In a labeling machine, the combination ing a pair of conjointly swinging pickers, a slidable member connected to each picker, an oscillatory shaft, and a pair of rods each pivotally connected at one end to the shaft and at their opposite ends to the slidable members to relatively slide said pickers while in contact with the exposed labels.

11. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label holder, a label picking mechanism for withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labeled, said mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers, a slidable member connected to each picker, an oscillatory shaft, a pair of rods each pivotally connected at one end to the shaft and at their opposite ends to the slidable members to relatively slide said pickers while in contact with the exposed labels, and means for adjusting the pivotal point of connection of the rods to the shaft to vary the degree of said sliding movement.

12. A label picker comprising a pair of conjointly movable pickers and means for causing a relative separationof said pickers at the label picking point in their cycle of joint movement.

13. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers, and means for sliding said pickers relative to each other to cause a successive separation and advancement of said pickers during their swinging movements. 7

14. A label picking mechanismcomprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers, means for sliding said pickers relative to each other to cause a separation and a. subsequent advancement of said pickers during their. swinging movements, and means for adjusting the degree of the sliding movement.

15. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers, means for relatively separating said pickers while in their upward limit of swing and for bringing the pickers together during their upward swing.

16. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly swinging pickers and means for separating said pickers at the la bel picking point of their swinging movement and for bringing the pickers together at another point of their swinging movement.

17. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of pickers mounted for joint swinging movement on a common shaft, means for oscillating said shaft, and means for relatively sliding said pickers one to the other on said shaft during their. swinging movements.

18. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of pickers mounted for joint swinging movement on a common shaft, means for oscillating said shaft and means for simultaneously sliding said pickers in relative opposite direction during their swinging movements.

19. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair 'of pickers slidably mounted on a common oscillatory shaft, means for locking said blades against relative rotary motion on the shaft and means for sliding said pickers relative to each other during their oscillatory movements.

20. A label picking mechanism comprising a pair of pickers slidably mounted on a common oscillator shaft means for lockin the 21. In a labelling machine, the combination of a label holder, an. adhesive applying member and a label picking mechanism for withdrawing the exposed label from the holder and advancing the same to the article to be labelled, said picking mechanism comprising a pair of pickers adapted to be coated with adhesive from the adhesive applying member and subsequently moved into engagement with the exposed label, and means for relatively moving said pickers while in contact with and prior to the withdrawal of the exposed label from the label holder.- l

22. In a labelling'machine, the combination of a label holder, an adhesive applying member and a label picking mechanism, said label picking mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly movable members adapted-to be initially coated with adhesive from the adhesive applying member and subsequently moved into engagement with the exposed label, 'and means forrelatively separating said pickers while in contact with and prior to the withdrawal of the exposed label from the label holder.

23. In a labelling machine, the combination of a label holder and a label. picking mechanism, the label picking mechanism comprising a pair of conjointly movable members, and means for relatively separating said pickers while in contact with and prior to the withdrawal of the exposed label from the label holder, and maintaining said pickers in separated position during the advancement of the label to the article, and subsequently bringing said pickers together prior to thenext picking operation.

In testimony whereof Ihereunto affix my signature.

CARL HOLM. 

